Prime Minister Mark Carney heaped praise on the communist Chinese government for being “run by engineers” and having a “very sincere and engaged” climate policy despite China’s rapid construction of coal-fired electricity plants.
While speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations on Monday, Carney suggested that Canada had more in common with China than the United States.
“In my experience with China. They are, among other things, very sincere and engaged on climate. This is a country run by engineers. This is a country that understands a lot of the engineering solutions to issues around emissions,” said Carney.
He described China as extending “almost a standing offer” to collaborate globally on climate policy and that Canada could benefit from closer ties with the communist regime.
“There’s almost a standing offer from them about how to engage in the global commons in and around climate,” said Carney.
“Which a country like Canada–it is an energy superpower. We’re going to certainly build and fully exploit that.”
According to the International Energy Agency, China is the world’s largest emitter of carbon dioxide, primarily due to the country’s heavy reliance on coal combustion.
In 2023, China accounted for nearly 31% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions – up 4.7% compared to 2022. Chinese authorities show no sign of slowing down when it comes to the construction of new coal power plants. In 2024, the country began building several new coal-powered facilities, expected to produce 94.5 gigawatts of electricity.
Carney’s comments come amid ongoing efforts by the Liberal government to rekindle trade relations with China, including negotiations over seafood and canola tariffs.
By contrast, he characterized the United States as hesitant, saying, “The United States could choose that lane very easily, but probably at the moment that’s not where the engagement will be.”
Carney’s remarks echoed former prime minister Justin Trudeau, who in 2016 expressed admiration for what he referred to as the communist regime’s “basic dictatorship.”
Carney’s remarks add to comments he made in June when he called for “reopen[ing] dialogue with Chinese authorities” as part of what he described as “recalibrating the relationship with China.”
At that time, Carney said deeper engagement with Beijing was necessary to address trade disputes, tariffs and the fentanyl crisis, and he argued that stronger China ties were important to “counterbalance” the United States.
His government has been working to restart trade talks with China, including discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on seafood and canola tariffs and fentanyl.
